DETROIT – A former Detroit police officer accused of chasing down and beating a man for no apparent reason on was arraigned Thursday.
During a news conference Dec. 20 Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced charges against officer Edward Hicks, 28. Worthy said Hicks beat Deonta Stewart, 31, at the Martin Luther King homes at Lafayette and Chene streets in Detroit on Aug. 30, 2016.
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Worthy said Stewart was walking in a dark area when Hicks spotted him and yelled at him to stop. Stewart took off running but eventually stopped and laid down on his stomach when he realized he was being chased by a police officer, the prosecutor said.
"It is alleged that officer Hicks began punching Stewart in the face multiple times, flipping him over and causing bleeding and some serious injury to Stewart," said Worthy.
The prosecutor said Stewart suffered serious injuries to his eyes and face. Moreover, the prosecutor said Hicks is accused of trying to get Stewart to lie about how he suffered the injuries.
Hicks is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office.
Hicks is no longer with the Detroit Police Department.
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